“Drama” is brewing behind the scenes at “NCIS” after star Mark Harmon’s son was ousted from the role of young Gibbs

Long-term NCIS star Mark Harmons Son Sean Harmon will not reprise his role as young Jethro Gibbs in the new prequel, and the decision led to drama brewing “behind the scenes” of the show, a source exclusively reports In contact.

“Mark Harmon explained that his son Sean would continue to serve as an executive producer on the series, but would no longer appear as young Gibbs,” the insider explains.

Mark, 73, played special agent Jethro Gibbs NCIS for 18 years before leaving the franchise as a series regular in 2021. The California native returned to narrate the new prequel. NCIS: Originswhich follows a young Gibbs at Camp Pendleton in 1991, shortly after the murder of his wife and child. Although Mark's son Sean, 36, played young Jethro Gibbs in flashbacks in seven episodes of The Movie NCIS from 2008 to 2020 and helped pitch the idea to the showrunners Crazy Friday The actor cited a source as saying that Sean was not asked to return for the prequel “mainly because he has a lot to do.”

However, the insider says that “others are saying otherwise” about the role change, with it “causing a stir” on set that CBS “wanted a bigger star to play Gibbs.” The show, which premiered on Monday, October 14, was cast instead Secret Life of the American Teenager alum Austin Stowell for the “coveted” role of young Jethro Gibbs.

“And Mark actually agreed,” the source says. “Expanding the franchise is the bottom line and nothing against Sean, but Austin has the leading man good looks and star power that the producers wanted.”

Mark spoke about his return to narrate the franchise spinoff, telling fans that he made himself “completely available” on set to answer any questions the cast had. The actor told diversity that he had “full confidence” in the cast and team behind it and “didn’t hesitate” to join in again NCIS World.

“(Showrunner) David J. North And Gina Lucita Monreal had asked me to do the voiceover and that was always part of my understanding. “I don’t know if it was clear at first how it would play out,” he explained before the October 11 premiere. “Then the question was, how do you do it afterwards? Is he standing there with his finger on his chin? Is he writing a book?”

Meanwhile, Austin, 39, was committed to getting the role of young Gibbs just right People that he was single but “in a relationship” with the cast and crew of NCIS: Origins.

“I'm here Monday through Friday… Remember those 300 people I told you about? They are all my boyfriends and girlfriends,” he told the outlet on October 14. He also reiterated Mark's statements about his availability as a mentor, saying that the longtime TV veteran was easy to work with.

“He always starts his conversations with, 'Do you need anything?' “This is so disarming,” the actor explained. “The guy is a global superstar. He could make people very uncomfortable to be around him. In any case. I mean, for me, a guy who steps into the shoes of the character.” That goes for the crew that he created and that he loved and everyone else that's here.